By Victoria Mejicanos
AFRO Staff Writer
vmejicanos@afro.com
Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced a partnership between the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services (MOHS), the Baltimore City Department of Social Services (BCDSS) and other local nonprofits Dec. 4, to ensure families who are at risk or currently facing homelessness can be rapidly placed in permanent housing with adequate additional support to maintain stability.
“Every young person in Baltimore deserves a safe place to call home and the support they need to thrive,” said Scott in a press release sent to the AFRO. “Tackling youth homelessness is not just about housing — it’s about dignity, opportunity, and giving our young people the foundation to build a better future.”
Through the partnership, BCDSS will refer older youth in need of assistance to Restorations Gardens 1, a 44-unit development. Younger families at risk of homelessness will be referred to the Geraldine Young Family Life Center, a 12-unit housing site operated by the YMCA of Central Maryland. BCDSS will also fund case management for the youth it refers for services and MOHS will oversee and manage contracted services.
Donald Eaddy, vice president of youth development and community health at the YMCA in Central Maryland said he is “thrilled” about the partnership according to the release.
“These funds will allow us to reduce barriers for individuals seeking to maintain stable housing in Baltimore City and help ensure that our communities continue to thrive,” said Eaddy.
At the Geraldine Young Family Life Center, young parents and their children will receive life skills workshops, educational programming and connections to community resources, as well as permanent housing and one year of aftercare support, according to the release.
The Housing Authority of Baltimore City is providing housing vouchers while Homes for America, a nonprofit housing development corporation, used an American Rescue Plan Act grant from Baltimore City and the state to renovate the units where youth will live. Restoration Gardens 1 opened in 2010.
“Homes for America is grateful for the incredible collaboration among so many public sector partners to bring both new capital investments and robust supportive services to the residents of “This alignment of will, resources and partnership will benefit the current and future residents for years to come,” said President and CEO of Homes for America Dana Johnson, in a statement.
The agreement for these services runs from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029, with one-year renewal options to follow.